The Samsung Odyssey G55A (LS32AG550ENXZA) looks like it would be a dream display for gamers looking for something with better than 144Hz refresh, but don’t have the money to spend on a top-tier 240Hz-refresh gaming monitor. It delivers enough pep for buttery-smooth graphics to give you an edge in competitive titles like Apex Legends and Call of Duty at over 1080p resolution.
With the Odyssey G55A, Samsung is delivering a comfortable middle with a 1440p resolution (or 2K as it’s sometimes dubbed), with a somewhat faster refresh rate between 144-165Hz, but below the Samsung Odyssey G7 that manages to crank that up to a blistering 240Hz with some flair.
There’s some reasonable argument that anything over 144Hz is overkill, given how little difference you’ll see in the jump between 144-240Hz, but with the latest RTX 40 Series and AMD Radeon RX 7000 Series powering gaming PCs, you can expect many low-demand titles to easily smash past 144fps.
Whether you’ll openly see the difference or not, one thing you’re assured of, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that if you’re hitting above 144fps in your favorite game, then your monitor is keeping up.
One other thing that is definitely noticeable however is the 1000R screen with a tight enough curve to make even Beyonce envious. Most competing monitors on the market opt for somewhere in the 1500R to 1800R range, so this like the Samsung Odyssey G5 (2022) will potentially need some getting used to even if you’ve previously used a curved display. In games, this results in an incredible feeling of immersion due to being almost enveloped by the display, especially on titles like Sub Nautica or Elite Dangerous.
Samsung Odyssey G55A Specifications
Here is the Samsung Odyssey G5 configuration in this review:
- Panel size: 32-inch
- Panel type: VA
- Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440
- Brightness: 320 nits
- Contrast: 2,500:1
- Pixel response: 1ms
- Refresh rate: 165Hz
- Inputs: 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 1x 3.5mm headphone output, 1 x USB 2.0
Design
In styling the Odyssey G5, Samsung focused on gamer aesthetics by including two small LED lights at the front, an illuminated ‘Samsung’ logo in the middle, and a ring around the upright base attachment. Color and effect are controlled via the OSD or you can just turn it off altogether.
The bezels surrounding the screen are 9mm thick -not the thinnest around, not with the likes of the AOC C32G2ZE and Samsung Odyssey G9 sporting a bezel-less design. When you reach under the logo, you find an OSD joystick that controls all monitor functions.
The styling continues to the back with a host of smoothly ribbed lines that accentuate the monitor’s curvature. You don’t see any straight edge anywhere, with a pivot ring that appears to be in motion with the modern texture. Once you install the input cover and run your cables through the upright, the monitor adopts a super-clean appearance.
The stand is sturdy, though, there’s a bit of wobble at the pivot point, but it’s nothing unusual for a large panel. Adjustments include 4.7 inches of height, 15 degrees to either side, and 9/13-degree tilt, and a portrait mode. We’re not sure how one will use a 1000R monitor in portrait mode, but if you think of any reason, then this is one of those screens that can do it.
OSD Features & Calibration
Samsung included its gaming-styled OSD in the 32-inch Odyssey G55A. At the top, you can always see the Black Equalizer setting, the response time (overdrive), refresh rate, Adaptive-Sync (supports G-Sync or FreeSync) status, and the low input lag setting. All options come with six sub-menus.
Out of the box, the Samsung LS32AG550ENXZA comes set to its Custom picture mode, with all image controls intact. Even with a few tweaks, you may not improve upon the already excellent picture quality and accuracy. Perhaps the only thing you can change is the sharpness slider, which you might have to reduce to remove the monitor’s slight ringing effect. In HDR mode, you can adjust the brightness, maybe max it, and set Local Dimming to Auto for an excellent HDR image.
All ports are located at the back – one HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0 (for service), and a 3.5mm audio jack that accommodates headphones or powered speakers. The monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers.
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Gaming Performance
The Samsung Odyssey G55A’s extreme curve is a significant asset, not only when it comes to gaming, but for general use too. While a screen with a 21:9 or 32:9 cover will cover even more of a user’s peripheral vision, the height of a 32-inch monitor draws you closer while providing a natural view of workday tasks. You can place documents in the center screen while balancing utilities off the sides. You’re able to see a full page in a word processor or 60 rows of a spreadsheet.
For gaming, you’ll hardly find any fault with the 32-inch Odyssey G55A’s gaming performance. Both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility work equally well, running up to 165Hz with HDR through the DisplayPort input, and the 1ms response rate makes everything smooth. The Tomb Raider hits 146 frames per second (fps) a few times with sustained speeds of around 135 fps. To that, add a super-fast panel response and you have fluid motions and input lag completely free of artifacts. Its other sibling, the Samsung Odyssey G7 maxes out at 240Hz frame rates, and on both monitors, that extra height draws you into the game.
When you engage HDR, you get a rare treat. Samsung’s ultra-curved monitor does HDR well, with effective selective dimming. You may not readily see the light level change in practice, but you will see the extra dynamic range. Its blacks are very deep and well-detailed, and highlight pop, thanks to the high peak brightness. Frame rates in Call of Duty: WII just dropped a little during testing, due to the additional HDR processing load. However, speeds were sustained at around 129fps with peaks at 132fps.
Bottom Line
The Samsung Odyssey LS32AG550ENXZA is one of the best 32-inch gaming monitors in its class, especially for anyone not looking to purchase multiple displays to cater to both high refresh rates and higher resolutions. The lightning-fast 165Hz speed paired with 1440p resolution and 1ms response time is more than enough to knock your rivals out of the woods in pretty much any title you play, though you’ll need a pretty powerful PC to make the most of what the Samsung Odyssey G5 has to offer.
If you play a variety of games and want a gorgeous-looking monitor, the Samsung Odyssey G55A is money well spent. Not only does the curved design help with immersion, but it looks stylish as hell. Add in the LED backlight and you have a fantastic, truly stunning gaming display, that shines on both speed and resolution.
The Review
Samsung Odyssey G55A
The Samsung Odyssey G55A (LS32AG550ENXZA) is a fantastic 32-inch gaming monitor for anyone looking for the best of both worlds – with a 165Hz at 1440p you have the best of speeds and stellar resolution, and a stylish design to boot.
Recommended Configuration
SAMSUNG 32" Odyssey G55A QHD 165Hz 1ms FreeSync Curved Gaming Monitor with HDR 10, Futuristic Design for Any Desktop (LS32AG550ENXZA)
$274.99 in stock
9 used from $157.69
PROS
- 165Hz refresh at 1440p
- Great HDR
- Impressive VA Panel
- Beautiful design
CONS
- No USB-C
- No speakers
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
Last update on 2024-10-30 at 11:58 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
